County school board hears report on k-12 alignment

Tuesday

Sep 3, 2013 at 9:42 PM

Davidson County Schools has relaunched an initiative that focuses on changing the culture of its schools.

BY DENEESHA EDWARDSThe Dispatch

Davidson County Schools has relaunched an initiative that focuses on changing the culture of its schools.The board heard its first report Tuesday on the kindergarten-12 alignment when three principals shared positive information on how the program is going at their schools. "The Power of Unity" was adopted as the district's theme this year under the system's k-12 alignment that has educators working in teams called professional learning communities (PLC) within the respective schools and across the district to help each other maximize student growth. The system's middle and high schools were already using PLC. "Things are different this year. (Students are) getting the same deal all the way across. This evens the playing field," said Dr. Denise Hedrick, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for the system.The main goal of the PLC is for teachers to come together in grade levels, courses or across grade levels to talk about what and how they are teaching. The structure is set up to ensure that all students master the state curriculum as well as 21st century skills and literacy strategies to move up to the next grade level. The four pillars — PLC, literacy strategies, standard course of study and 21st century skills — will be the root of the system to help the process become ingrained in the schools, according to a news release. Another portion of the initiative surrounds teachers answering the following questions:• What is it we expect them to learn?• How will we know when they have learned it?• How will we respond when they don't learn?• How will we respond when they already know it?Emily Lipe, principal of North Davidson High School, noted the initiative levels the playing field for all students no matter what school they attend."What a valuable tool to meet the needs of all children," she said. "The teachers are committed to collaboration. There's a new sense of urgency and a new sense of passion. We do believe we give every child a chance at North Davidson."Central Davidson Middle School Principal Deana Coley is ecstatic about the alignment because it will benefit all students in the system. She also noted that for the teachers it's about building relationships."It's time to make a shift — from all students are taught to all students can learn," she said. "The path to change in the classroom lies on and through PLC. This is taking it to a whole new level. We're going to have positive results thanks to this initiative, the power of unity and these four pillars. It's not about change… it's about transformation. It's happening. It's evident."Tammy Bush, principal of Southmont Elementary School, spoke on behalf of all the elementary schools about being anxious to join this year."We are very excited," he said. "We feel like we finally have a frame work and we finally feel like we're included. We're a part of it. All the things with the k-12 alignment will provide nothing but positive results for Southmont Elementary."Administrators will continue to talk at each school board meeting. Teachers will also meet monthly.In other news, the board:• Approved James Fitzgerald as the principal of Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy. Since the opening of the school in the 2012-13 school year, Fitzgerald had served as both the principal of the academy and Davidson County High School. In 2010 he became the principal of Davidson County High School. He is on a continuing contract.The board also unanimously voted to make Danny Wagner, who is the administrator/program director at Davidson County High School, the interim principal at the county high school on a month-to-month basis.Due to the system receiving money from this year's state budget for the next two fiscal years, they were able to split the principal duties at the career academy by adding another administrator. The change will become effective Wednesday.Fitzgerald's teaching career began in 2002 and he joined the system in 2006. He served as an administrator at North Davidson Middle School before becoming the principal of Davidson County High School. He earned an elementary education from Greensboro College and received a master's in school administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.Wagner has been at the county high school since 2011. Prior to that he served as the assistant principal at Extended Day School from 2004-11. His journey with the system started in 1971 as a teacher. Since 1975 he has served as an administrator at various schools. Wagner has a biology degree and a master's degree in school administration both from Appalachian State University. • Heard an update on new hires for the current school year. Julie Hamilton, executive director of human resources, said they had 45 new teachers at the high school level, 23 at the middle schools and 50 at the elementary schools. She noted that does not count teachers who transferred. Hamilton reported the system has one vacant position at the high school level, three at the middle school level and one at an elementary school."We have great new hires," Hamilton said.Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.